Selling oil across Libya

Chapter 50 Tough Guy

Qin Rui had no intention of threatening anyone; he only wanted to protect Libya from invasion.

In 2012, although the international situation has not yet deteriorated to the point where a country's president can be arbitrarily kidnapped, the outlook is not optimistic.

Wrong, cross it out.

The international situation has never been optimistic.

The United States is resorting to kidnapping as a way to resolve conflicts because its power has declined significantly.

From the Gulf War to Operation Odyssey Dawn, the decline of Europe and the United States has become very evident.

Ten years ago, the coalition's actions would not have stopped at just air strikes; they would have sent troops to earth long ago.

It is precisely because the United States is so obviously weak that the Turkish Sultan dared to intervene in Libya and try to muddy the waters even further.

Ten years ago, if you dared to reach out, I'd chop off your claws!

Qin Rui not only placed an order with Ding Jian for a wind tunnel, but also wanted a nuclear power plant.

"no problem!"

Ding Jian took on everything.

I want the best.

Qin Rui has high standards.

"If it's available for sale, we'll definitely give you the best."

Ding Jian made his ugly point clear upfront.

"I want the best!"

Qin Rui emphasized.

"President Qin, I will convey your request to the head office. As for whether the head office will agree, I cannot guarantee that."

Ding Jian is extremely principled and unwavering.

"Understanding will prevail over time."

Building trust is a long process; we all need time.

Qin Rui did not make things difficult for Ding Jian.

"Mr. Qin, let's drink to that!"

Ding Jian substituted tea for wine, a gesture of profound understanding.

It's not that Ding Jian is being dramatic; it's just that it's incredibly difficult to meet a normal person abroad.

February 14th, Valentine's Day.

The Numidian Brigade's Valentine's Day gift to Haftar was an attack.

This offensive was initiated not only at the request of Mobil and Eni, but also at the request of Royal Dutch Shell and Total.

While Benghazi was besieged by "rebels," Total and Royal Dutch Shell's oil fields in the Sirte Basin were also threatened by militants.

As early as the end of January, Total's oil fields in the Sirte Basin were attacked by rockets.

This situation never occurred during Operation Odyssey Dawn.

During the military operation, both government forces and rebels cooperated tacitly and did not attack oil field facilities; all fighting took place in the city.

Following the attack on the Sirte Basin, Total announced a halt to oil field production and the evacuation of all staff from Libya.

Then the British and French media began blaming each other.

The rebels were inhumane; they only attacked Total's oil fields, not Royal Dutch Shell's.

So here's the problem.

French media believe that the armed forces that attacked Total oil fields were directed by Royal Dutch Shell.

Royal Shell pots fell from the sky.

It was clearly Royal Dutch Shell that was the most active in Operation Odyssey Dawn, incurring the hatred of the Libyan armed forces. How can you blame it on Royal Dutch Shell?

If you say it wasn't you, then why did the Libyan armed forces specifically target Total's oil fields, while leaving Royal Dutch Shell's oil fields untouched?

Royal Dutch Shell: A matter of character.

Royal Dutch Shell didn't last long either.

Three days after Total withdrew from Libya, Royal Shell's oil fields were also attacked by militants.

Worse still, not only were Royal Shell's oil fields damaged, but six British special forces soldiers were also killed.

So another question arises: why were British special forces in Sirte?

This all started with Operation Odyssey Dawn.

During Operation Odyssey Dawn, Britain deployed more than 100 special forces soldiers to Libya to cooperate with the coalition forces and rebels.

These special forces soldiers penetrated deep into Libyan territory, using laser GPS to mark targets for coalition airstrikes. They employed every means possible in assassination and sabotage, leaving government forces defenseless and playing a crucial role in securing the final victory for the coalition and the rebels.

After the conclusion of Operation Odyssey Dawn, some British special forces did not withdraw from Libya but were temporarily stationed at Royal Shell's oil fields in Sirte.

This is not surprising.

The French Foreign Legion is also stationed in Total's oil fields.

When it comes to the misuse of public resources, France and Britain are second to none.

Foreign legion members and special forces soldiers may have exceptional individual combat capabilities.

However, they were completely ineffective against the rebels' rocket artillery and could only retreat hastily with Total and Royal Dutch Shell.

Total and Royal Dutch Shell were unwilling to lose control of the Sirte oil field.

Therefore, the Numidian Brigade's attack was exactly what everyone expected.

Numidian Brigade did not disappoint Mobil, Shell, and Total, completing the capture of Misrata in just three days.

Payne and Carcani hope the Numidian Brigade will continue their success.

Yuri reminded Payne and Calcani that now was not the best time.

Total and Royal Dutch Shell have not given up.

Once Numidian Brigade recaptures the oil fields in the Suert Basin, Total and Royal Dutch Shell will return, demanding that Numidian Brigade return the oil fields to Total and Royal Dutch Shell. Will they return them then?

"Impossible! Oil fields are the spoils of the victors; the losers have no right to them."

Payne has begun to consider himself the victor.

"Since the interim government can no longer represent Libya, the operating rights of the oil fields in the Sirte Basin should be re-discussed."

Carcani had a good plan.

"You're right, we definitely need to discuss this again."

Yuri's words were meaningful.

Carcani's desired outcome is that after Numidian Brigade recaptures the oil fields in the Suert Basin, it will hand them over to ExxonMobil and Eni for operation.

In this way, even if Eni doesn't get the chocolate, at least they can taste the cream.

All that was left for the Numidian Journey was the cake base.

Payne's demand was that, regardless of who Numidia Brigade gave the oil field operating rights to, every drop of oil produced in Sirte should be handled according to the Zawiye model.

Doing absolutely nothing and making $20 off a barrel—that's fantastic!

Yuri didn't want to give it to anyone.

The reason for initially offering concessions to ExxonMobil and Eni was to expand sales channels and accumulate capital.

The Numidian Brigade now possesses not only anti-aircraft missiles but also basic industrial capabilities.

If they continue to offer concessions under these circumstances, then what's the difference between Yuri, Jalil, and Haftar?

"No matter how you divide it, ExxonMobil will get $20 for every barrel of oil!"

Payne shouted wildly.

Carcani's expression changed, and he argued forcefully: "Impossible!"

Eni's interests must not be infringed upon under any circumstances;

We are not weak and incompetent French women!

Payne sneered: "Tough guy, how do you think the oil fields should be allocated?"

Calcani paused, then instinctively looked at Yuri.

What a tough guy who lasted less than five seconds!

"Drake, David, we should unite and drive the British and French out of Libya first, and then discuss the distribution plan."

Yuri smiled, uniting some and striking others.

You don't necessarily have to make the cake bigger to get a bigger slice.

The same thing can be achieved by reducing the number of people assigned.